Lukwago bail ruling to be delivered electronically within 24 hours
Speaking to journalists outside the court, Lukwago's lawyer, Medard Sseggona, said the magistrate had informed the parties that the ruling was not yet ready.
Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago during court rallying today. (Photos by Simon Peter)
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The bail ruling for former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is facing a charge of misprision of treason, will be delivered electronically within 24 hours.
Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera on Monday (June 22) informed the parties that the ruling will be issued through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) rather than in open court, citing security concerns following chaotic scenes at the court.
During a meeting held in chambers and attended by Lukwago, his lawyers and the prosecution, the magistrate said security officials had advised that the court premises were not safe for the proceedings to continue in open court.
“Owing to the sensitivity of the case and the prevailing environment, it is not advisable to come to court,” Sseggona said.
The magistrate also scheduled June 30, 2026, for the case to return to court for mention.
Lukwago, who is also the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) president, applied for bail on June 18, 2026, citing ill-health.
Through his lawyer Sseggona, Lukwago requested the court to grant him bail, arguing that he has a fixed place of abode at Wakaliga, a Kampala suburb.
Sseggona submitted that Lukwago understands the implication of bail and will abide with all conditions and terms the court is expected to set. He also argued that Lukwago is of advanced age (56 years).
He said that as a result of the condition, Lukwago has to take small quantities of food at particular intervals accompanied by prescribed medication.
“Following the brutal arrest and management of the accused when he was under detention, the spine has dislocated, which requires neurological interventions,” the lawyer argued. He also said Lukwago suffers from a respiratory ailment relating to breathing.
Sseggona further told the court that Lukwago suffers from hypertension, a condition he said had worsened during the two days the lawyer spent in military detention.
The lawyer submitted that Lukwago was not a flight risk and undertook not to leave the country without a court order.
Sseggona also presented three people to stand surety for Lukwago. They included Gulu city MP Betty Aol Ochan, Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze and former Buikwe South MP Michael Lulume Bayigga.
Response
However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions asked the court not to grant bail to Lukwago, arguing that the charges he is facing are grave in nature and raise national security concerns.
In written submissions filed before the Makindye Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday, June 19, the prosecution stated that Lukwago allegedly knew of a plot to overthrow the government but failed to report it to the relevant authorities.
“The offences related to treason have far-reaching implications for national security because they involve allegations connected to attempts to overthrow a government,” senior state attorney Judith Nyamwiza submitted. She is being assisted by Carol Opiya.
She stated that such offences have the potential to destabilise the country, trigger violence, cause loss of life and disrupt the economy.
Citing previous court decisions, the prosecution invited the court to balance the constitutional rights of the accused with the need to safeguard society and protect national security.
According to the prosecution, Lukwago concealed information about an alleged plot by his client, four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, and his aide Obeid Lutale, to commit treason.
Prosecution further alleges that Lukwago withheld information from government authorities regarding the alleged involvement of Joel Wakayima and Frank Tuhaire Atukunda in the purported treason plot.
Lukwago is among the lawyers representing Besigye and Lutale, who are charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside Capt. Denish Oyaa Oola of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), attached to the Armoured Brigade. The offences attract a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
The treason trial of Besigye and his co-accused is yet to commence and is scheduled to be heard before Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Criminal Division of the High Court.
